BRATISLAVA- half day visit/ Europe Tour 12 May 2018

From the half-day visit to Schonbrunn in Vienna, Austria,  we traveled to Bratislava by train. Boarded the train with our luggage at Wien (Vienna)  Central station, in an hour, we were in a different country.  Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia.  The city borders two sovereign states, Hungary and Vienna. .Train transfer between the two capital cities is frequent, every hour.  Bus transfer is more frequent.  We could have opted for the scenic Danube River cruise but it would be inconvenient with our luggage.

SCHONBRUNN PALACE & GARDEN, VIENNA, AUSTRIA/ 12 May 2018

The Great Parterre, Neptune Fountain and the Gloriette at Schonbrunn Park, Vienna, Austria

Schonbrunn  is one of the major attractions in Vienna, Austria.  The Palace and its Garden have been an important  Viennese art since the 18th century.  It was the summer residence of the Imperial family until the end of the Habsburg Monarch in 1918.  The palace became a museum after World War I.  

Schonbrunn was the summer residence of the Imperial family.  Marie Antoinette, Queen of France,  grew up in this palace.  

Disney's Hollywood Hotel at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort November 2017

Hong Kong Disney's Hollywood Hotel is one of the three hotels at Hong Kong Disneyland resort.  It was the first hotel to open in the resort, on 12 September 2005, the same day the Hong Kong Disneyland Theme Park was opened to visitors.  HK Disneyland Hotel was the second to open, in December the same year.  Disney Explorers Lodge kicked off in 2017. 

BANGKOK in 4 days / 24 Aug ~ 27 Aug 2018 DAY 2: CHAO PHRAYA RIVER, WAT SAKET, Platinum Mall, MBK

Chao Phraya River is a major river not only in Bangkok but in the whole country of Thailand.  In Bangkok, the river is not just a transportation artery of more than 15 boat lines, it is also one of the major attractions in the city.

BANGKOK in 4 days / 24 Aug ~ 27 Aug 2018 DAY 1

Fresh Water River Prawns

Mango with Sticky Rice

Two of  the many authentic dishes and dessert that is a must to eat when in Thailand, especially in Bangkok,  Mango with sticky rice and the Freshwater River Prawns.

VIENNA, Austria: St Stephen's Cathedral, Stephenplatz, Kunsthistorisches, Schonbrunn 11~12 May 2018

Triton and Naiad Fountain
by Hugo Haerdtl at the
Maria-Theresian-Platz, Vienna, Austria

Vienna City is the capital of Austria.  The city's history dates back two thousand years ago and over.  Known for great architectural design, most of Baroque style created under the rule  of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Franz Josef.

2nd Visit to PARIS: Tuileries Garden , Louvre Pyramid and Eiffel Tower at night / Family Travelogue 15 June 2015

view of Eiffel Tower from Trocadero, Paris, France

The Iron Lady is lit up from sunset to 1am/2am (in summer) and twinkles for 5 minutes every hour.

We had  spent almost a week in Paris during our 2013 Europe tour., two years before this trip.  We would  have gone directly to London from Brussels,  we had thought though, it could be a  regret not to stop by Paris even for a night.  More so, a visit to the very first store of Chanel at 31 Rue Cambon.  In 2013, we purchased our bags at its branch at Galeries Lafayette.

Brussels, Belgium/ Family Travelogue 14 June 2015

Mont des Arts garden with the view of the spire of the Brussels Town Hall, Belgium

We had arrived Brussels 9am, about 2 hours travel from Amsterdam.  Our main purpose stopping in this city was to see the Manneken Pis, tried their famous waffles and buy chocolates.  We did not

Itinerary Europe May 2018 / Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Prague, Madrid, Barcelona,Paris, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Positano, Rome, Helsinki, Tallinn/ Family Travelogue 09~27 May 2018

Budapest, Hungary 09 May~ 10 May 2018

Budapest, Hungary

I never thought this city is this beautiful.  Great building architectures, most of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.  Humble city that offers amazing sights everywhere. The second largest river in Europe, the Danube, touches Budapest.  The Danube separates the city into two:  Buda and Pest.

Horrible Experience on Night Train EN 476/ EN 406 chopin from Bratislava To Prague 12 May 2018

It's been a while the last time I posted.  We just  got back from Europe tour minus our girls.  The bratz are busy, especially the youngest who is sitting for O level this year.  And yes, guilty...  posts for our previous tours have  not been completed yet.

The recent tour was full of activities, likewise, few mishaps.  One of which is all about  this story. We were supposed to have slept on night  train for two times but we have missed our first night train.  I thought of sharing this with you guys and hoping it could help on your future travel  to Europe.  Or is it just me who doesn't know about how these trains in Europe work?  It was not our first time in Europe and it was not our first time taking train in Europe.  And we always do the free and easy since our first travel to Europe.  It was though our first ever to take the night train. 

Hakone Open-Air Museum features Emile-Antoine Bourdelle, Emilio Greco: / Family Travelogue 16 March 2016 Part 6

Hercules the Archer 

Hercules the Archer is a sculpture with many versions.  The original was made in 1909 by a french artist, Emile Antoine Bourdelle. It was commissioned by a wealthy philantropist, Gabriel Thomas, for a single copy in gilt-bronze-exclusive for Thomas only.  Years later, Bourdelle regretted granting the rights to Thomas.  Bourdelle was not allowed to sell new copies of a bronze sculpture, Hercules the

Hakone Open-Air Museum features HENRY MOORE / Family Travelogue 16 March 2016 Part 5

1969~70 Reclining Figure:  Arch Leg

1969~70 bronze made sculpture, Reclining Figure: Arch Leg. by a British artist,  Henry Moore (1898~1986)

Henry Moore's inspiring words somehow similar to the guiding principle of The Hakone Open-Air Museum:

"When you are out in the open air, in the sun, rain, and clouds, this helps people appreciate that sculpture is a part of life."

Senso-ji Temple 17 March 2016/ Asakusa, JAPAN

Senso-ji, Tokyo, Japan

Senso-ji is the oldest ancient and most significant Buddhist temple in Japan located in Asakusa, Tokyo.  Not only we feasted our eyes with the beautiful architecture and intricate details of the buildings, we observed the religious rituals outside the temples.

Amsterdam/ Family Travelogue 12~14 June 2015

We left the canals in Venice and we were greeted by  the canals in Amsterdam.  Latter is the most watery city in the world with 165 canals stretched  to a total of about 60 miles.  Venice has only 26 miles of waterways and canals.

Amsterdam is known not only for its canals but also as the bicycle capital of the world.  The number of the bicycles in the city looks like exceeded the population of Amsterdam.

Wherever you look at, bicycles everywhere.  The cyclists have even more right on the road than the motorists.

JEJU ISLAND, SOUTH KOREA September 2009/ Yongduam Rock, The Legend Film Location, Seongsan Ilchulbong, Seongeup Folk Village, Cheonjeyeon Falls

Dol Hareubangs outside Jeju International Airport, South Korea

Dol Hareubangs are porous volcanic rock statues found in Jeju Island, South Korea.  They are considered Gods often placed at the entrance for protection against demons.  They are also common symbol of  fertility in Jeju.  I was told of a tradition that if you want to have a baby boy, rub the nose of the Dol Hareubang.

MACAU / GRAND LISBOA/ Fisherman's Wharf/ May 2014

Macau is known for being the Las Vegas in Asia.  It  is also home to Portuguese egg tarts and Pork chop bun.  Macau were Portuguese colony from the mid 16th century to 1999 when the sovereignty  of Macau was returned to China on 20th of  December as a special administrative region.  Macau cuisines are mixed of Cantonese and Portuguese dishes.

MACAU TOWER/ SKYWALK ADVENTURE / Family Travelogue December 2010

Macau Tower is an observation deck located in Macau, a Special Region of China.  The tower is 338m in height. 61st floor, the outside observatory deck and 233 meters in height,  offers Tower Adventures such as Bungee Jump, Tower Climb, Sky Walk and Sky Jump.  We had joined the cheapest and the least scary, the Sky Walk.  Inclusive with the price: USB for the pictures, E-Certificate, Membership Card and the exclusive T-shirt.  All these three t-shirts are frequent in our washing machine till now.  They are our youngest' fond to wear.

Central Park Manhattan NYC: BETHESDA TERRACE AND FOUNTAIN, STRAWBERRY FIELDS, WOLLMAN SKATING RINK/ Family Travelogue 27 November 2016

View of Central Park New York from Top of the Rock

Central Park in Manhattan New York is the most visited park in US.  It is very huge over 300 hectares.  The east part is bounded by the 5th ave.  We just attended the Sunday Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral.  Thereafter, we walked along the stretch from 5th ave from SAKS Fifth Ave and the Rockefeller's shopfront buildings all the way up to Central Park.  Autumn about to wrap up, Winter is approaching.

New York City: St Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center and A Walk Along Fifth avenue/ Family Travelogue 27 Nov 2016, Sunday

St Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City

Our second day in New York City, we attended the Sunday Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue.  The Gothic-style Catholic Parish Church is located in Midtown Manhattan, along the prominent stretch of NYC landmarks on Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets.  The night before, we checked out most of the Christmas Window Displays of the popular stores at the Big Apple.

EXPLORING all the DISNEY THEME PARKS around the world / Family Travelogue

ANAHEIM                     FLORIDA                       JAPAN                         

HONG KONG                   PARIS                    SHANGHAI

Hong Kong Disneyland November 2017 Part 2 of 2: Mystic Point/ Toy Story Land/ Fantasyland/ Parades/ Fireworks/ Main Street at night/ Family Travelogue

Hong Kong Disneyland Entrance

Continued from Hong Kong Disneyland Part 1, second part features the themed areas of Mystic Point, Toy Story Land and Fantasyland.  More so, videos of both the day and night parade and the recently concluded fireworks.

VENICE: Cheap Grand Canal Cruise by Vaporetto/ Family Travelogue 12 June 2017 3 OF 3

Cruising the Grand Canal in Venice is like cruising a painting.  Both sides offer fascinating views.  So beautiful!!! with all those  picturesque historical buildings: waterfrount churches and palaces ON water...floating.  So amazing!.

VENICE: CRUISE FROM LIDO BEACH TO SAN MARCO BY VAPORETTO/ Family Travelogue June 2015 2 of 3

Leaving Lido beach... going back to San Marco
Continued from Venetian Lagoon Cruise, Venice Canals, Burano, Lido Beach
The ferry ride back to main island was non stop, crossed a short stretch of the lagoon to the Bacino San Marco, Venice waterfrount above the Piazza San Marco.

TRAVELS IN ITALY / Family Travelogue

ROME           FLORENCE         TUSCANY        PISA              

VENICE St Mark' Square/ Gondola/ Venetian Lagoon cruise by Vaporetto/ BURANO/ LIDO BEACH Family Travelogue Europe Trip June 2015 1 of 3 parts

The City of Bridges, VENICE.  Such a marvelous place, wish we could have stayed longer.  Despite our struggles crossing the bridges, climbing up and down with our heavy luggage; can't help to be amazed and admire this city which was built on water.  Picturesque marble old palaces and churches facing the Grand Canal... The beautiful islands of  the Venetian Lagoon...  The only way to see all these beauty of Venice is by boat: Vaporetto, Water taxi or Gondola.